Typhoon Kills At Least 29 in Japan

A typhoon that slammed into Japan's western prefectures Saturday is now blamed for nearly 30 deaths, as well as widespread evacuations, flooding and landslides. CNN reported that the storm was briefly measured at typhoon strength, but was a tropical storm when it made landfall

"I have been working for the prefectural office over 40 years, but this is the worst in my memory," Tsutomu Furukawa of Wakayama prefecture told CNN.

The storm is the 19th typhoon of the season, Global Post reported, and its toll could grow. The mudslides and washed out roads it caused through western Japan have hampered efforts to reach survivors.

Everyone has someone on their holiday shopping list who’s impossible to buy for. For the second year in a row, we asked Atlantic readers to describe their someone, and brainstormed a few perfect gift ideas for them.